Multi-selection dispensing machine



May 1970 J. P.-STOLTZ MULTI-SELECTION DISPENSING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 5. 1968 //VVEN7'0E, JAMES A 5704 T2 425* QWXZ M Z/ M 4rm2 May 19, 1970 J. P. STOLTZ v 3,512,679

MULTI-SELECTION DISPENSING MACHINE Filed June 5. 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mm, aqywa 0W4... I ATTO/Z/VEYS May 19, 1970 J. P. STOLTZ MULTI-SELECTION DISPENSING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 5. 1968 //v vewroe,

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United States Patent US. Cl. 221-129 18 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A multi-selection dispensing machine having a plurality of removable and replaceable magazines, each comprising a plurality of dispensing units with individual drive motors and article supply chutes, wherein each such chute supplies articles to a dispensing element which is normally at rest in a position with an article receiving recess therein positioned to display an article in readiness for delivery to the purchaser. Each unit is controlled by its own selector switch and, when actuated, makes a single complete revolution or portion of a revolution, during the initial portion of which the displayed article is discharged from the dispensing element for reception in a receptacle accessible to the purchaser. Following the discharge of the dispended article and during the latter portion of each revolution, the article recess moves beneath the article chute to receive a fresh article therefrom. The arrangement is such as to substantially eliminate the possibility of jamming of the unit prior to delivery of the purchased article. Delivery of the article is effected at the inception of the dispensing element rotation, at which time the dispensing element is free to rotate without restraint from the stack of articles, but encounters opposition to its rotation only during the latter stages of each revolution when it is called upon to eject the next article from the chute, at which time it has built up inertia to assist it in this function.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improvements in the dispensing units of dispensing machines of a type in which each dispensing unit comprises an article storage and delivery chute from which the articles are taken one at a time by a rotary dispensing element which is selectively actuated by a driving means such as an electric gear motor through a selector switch to be driven on each operative cycle through a predetermined angular movement and brought to rest.

Devices of this general type have been known for many years. However, it has been common practice for the dispensing element on its delivery or dispensing cycle to first pick up the article to be dispensed from the chute and then carry the article to a discharge point at which it is dumped into a delivery receptacle to be retrieved by the purchaser. This has resulted in loss of money to the purchaser in the event the supply of articles within the chute has been exhausted or jammed and, furthermore, the purchaser has been unable to see the specific article purchased by him, prior to deposit of the money.

Further, it has been customary in units of this type for the stack of articles in a given chute to be supported in a manner which permits them to bear against the periphery of the dispensing element and thus to exert a braking or binding action on the same, with risk of stalling and burning out of its electric driving motor or damaging the product being dispensed. This is most likely to occur at the very inception of a delivery cycle before the dispensing element appreciably commences its rotation or delivers the dispensed article to the purchaser, due to the necessity at this time for overcoming the combined resistance to rotation resulting both from the binding of the article stack and from the inertia of the 3,512,679 Patented May 19, 1970 dispensing element itself. Existing dispensing machines which sell the displayed article on selection by the customer, have all articles displayed in a restricted area at the lower part of the machine. This invention improves this by elevating all items closer to eye level for motivation of view and display definition available by separation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, each article storage and delivery chute is provided with a bottom arranged to fully support the weight of the entire stack of articles so that they will, at all times, be out of rubbing contact with the dispensing element, while the dispensing element is provided with one or more radial ejector arms to extend through a slot or slots in the bottom of the chute in abutting engagement with the rear edge or side of the lower-most article in the chute and to eject said article through a discharge outlet in the front of the chute for reception in an article recess within the dispensing element substantially as the latter is brought to rest at the conclusion of its angular movement. The dispensing element then maintains the article in display position, where it is visible to prospective purchasers through the transparent front of the cabinet. Conveniently, though not necessarily, a plurality of such units are disposed Within the cabinet of the dispensing machine, preferably within one or more magazines, each containing a plurality of such units and mounted for withdrawal through the open front of the cabinet to provide ready access to the various units for servicing.

In one embodiment, each dispensing element is driven by its own individual dispensing motor from its predetermined display position through its dispensing cycle, during the initial portion of which it discharges the article displayed in its recess, and near the conclusion of its rotation, moves the recess beneath the bottom of the chute to receive a fresh article just prior to the time it completes its cycle and is brought to rest with the article in display position.

Due to the characteristic of delivering the purchased article at the very inception of the revolution of its dis pensing element and at a time when the dispensing element is subjected to no retarding force, the dispensing unit is rendered unusually efficient and reliable in delivering the article to the purchaser without failure. Such delivery of selected merchandise to the customer is effective even though the revolution of the dispensing element is interrupted prior to completion of its cycle by abutment of the ejector arm of the dispensing element with an article which may become jammed in the outlet of the article chute.

Moreover, such characteristic makes possible the employment of a plurality of such dispensing units in a highly advantageous manner in combination with circuit breaker and switch units individual to the driving motors of the units for deenergizing these motors in response to overloads resulting from stalling by articles jammed in the chute outlet or discharge opening and for establishing a by-pass circuit around the selector switch of the jammed unit to the other selector switches, to permit other selections to be made. Such a deenergizing of its associated motor will leave the dispensing element at rest in a predetermined position in which it is incapable of displaying any article to a potential purchaser and in which its inoperative condition must be clearly apparent.

Further, in accordance with the invention, in place of conventional sold out switches for the respective units, there is employed in association with each unit a rotation interrupting or interference block adapted to rest on top of the stack of articles in each chute and arranged so as to be incapable of passing through the chute outlet. Thus upon reaching the bottom of the chute, the interference block arrests the movement of the dispensing element before return of the later to its display position at the conclusion of its dispensing cycle and maintains it in this position until that particular unit is restocked with articles.

Because of the foregoing features and characteristics, the dispensing units of the invention are especially adapted for use in combination with coin operated control mechanisms of conventional type in which, following the closing of the selection switch and energization of a given unit to deliver an article therefrom, the coin control apparatus will refuse to accept further coins until the unit motor is deenergized. Whether the motor is deenergized at the completion of its revolution or prior thereto by the action of the circuit breaker of the invention, such deenergiza-tion will have occurred in either event only after delivery of the purchased article, and will free the coin control apparatus for reception of further coins and the making of further selections from the other units of the machine.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view on a reduced scale of the complete dispensing machine embodying the preferred form of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view on an enlarged scale showing one of the removable magazines for supporting a plurality of dispensing units.

FIG. 3 is a substantially enlarged fragmentary view, partly in side elevation and partly in section, of a plurality of the dispensing or vending units of one of the magazines.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section on the line 4--4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the lower end portion of a dispensing chute and its associated dispensing element showing the manner in which a sold out block cooperates with the dispensing element when the supply of articles in a given chute has been exhausted.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the structure shown in FIG. 4 as seen from the left hand side thereof on the line 66.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view on the line 77 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view on the line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the structure illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, and

FIG. 10 is a wiring diagram showing generally the relation between the motors, selector switches and circuit breakers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now in detail to the accompanying drawings, the invention is therein illustrated in its preferred embodiment in a coin actuated dispensing machine of the type which is operable to dispense any of a wide selection of articles or products of different types, shapes and sizes. The dispensing mechanism of the invention is enclosed within the upper or dispensing compartment A of a generally conventional cabinet 10 and is both visible and accessible through a normally locked transparent door 12, which is hinged thereto at 14. Beneath the compartment A is the delivery receptacle B, accessible through a door 16. The base of the cabinet may be used as a storage compartment C for extra supplies of merchandise, and thus is provided with a door 18 equipped with a lock 20.

The dispensing mechanism comprises a plurality of movable and replaceable article magazines D, each supporting a plurality of dispensing units U with individual drive motors 20, dispensing elements 22 and article supply chutes 24, wherein each such chute presents products P,

one at a time, to a dispensing element 22 which is normally at rest in a display position, with its article receiving recess 26 positioned to display an article or product in readiness for delivery to a purchaser. Each dispensing unit is controlled by its own individual selector switch 28 and, when actuated, its dispensing element makes a single complete revolution, during the initial portion of which the displayed article P is discharged from the dispensing element for reception in the delivery receptacle B accessible to the purchaser. Following the discharge of the dispensed article, the article recess 26 of each dispensing element 22 moves beneath the article chute 24 to receive the next article therefrom.

Preferably, the magazines D are similarly constructed, each having a plurality of similar dispensing units U carried thereby in vertical stacks or columns. The front of each magazine is defined by a vertical opaque panel 30 provided with vertical rows of openings 32 for the passage therethrough of articles from the various dispensing units.

The dispensing or vending units U are arranged in vertical columns behind the respective panels 30 with their discharge ends communicating with the respective openings 32. Extending rearwardly and upwardly from the lower edge of each discharge opening 32 is a fiat deflector plate 34 secured to the panel and extending beneath the discharge end of its associated dispensing unit to guide articles from that unit through the opening into a common vertical dispensing passage 36 defined by and between the cabinet door 12 and the opaque panels 30 which are arranged in a common ventical plane spaced from the door. This passage 36, which is common to all of the dispensing units, communicates at its lower end with the delivery receptacle or hopper B beneath the dispensing compartment A. Access may be had to this receptacle by the purchaser through the door 16 in the front of the cabinet.

Preferably each of the panel openings 32 has its upper portion covered by a transparent display window 38, behind which an article P in readiness for delivery by the particular dispensing unit associated with that window is positioned on display.

In the form of the invention here illustrated, each display window 38 is carried at the free outer end of a curved article guide plate 39, the inner end of which is allixed to the front wall 24 of the chute of its particular unit. The guide plate is conformed and positioned relative to the dispensing element of its respective chute to positively guide articles from the chute discharge opening 56 into an article recess 26 of the dispensing element 22. The dispensing element is normally at rest in display position in which the article receiving recess is presented toward the window 38.

To prevent dislodging of articles displayed by the dispensing element as for instance by jarring or tilting of the machine, each display window is disposed 'in close proximity to its associated dispensing element normally being spaced from the dispensing element by a distance which is less than the thickness of the articles to be dispensed, so as positively to retain the article in the recess. To permit bringing the window into close proximity with the dispensing element, without interfering with the rotation of the dispensing element, each window may be provided with vertical notches 38' extending upwardly from its lower edge, and through which the ejector arms 60 of-the dispensing element may freely pass.

In accordance with usual practice, each dispensing unit U will be designated by an appropriate symbol 40, here in the form of a numeral applied to its respective display Window. A series of selector switches 28, each controlling the energizing of one of said dispensing units, respectively, including push-buttons bearing symbols or numbers corresponding to those of the respective windows and dispensing units, is mounted on the cabinet 10 at one side of the door 12. The general arrangement of these is the well-known one, in accordance with which the dropping of appropriate coins into the coin slots 42 of a conventional coin control mechanism M in the cabinet front energizes a master circuit, following which actuation of a particular selector switch 28 energizes a circuit from the master circuit through the driving motor 20 of the selected dispensing unit U, whereby the particular article on display through the window of that unit will be delivered through the panel 30 and into the delivery passage 36 to drop downwardly into the delivery receptacle. Further, in accordance with usual practice, the closing of any given selector switch causes the coin control mechanism, in a well-known manner, to refuse acceptance of further coins, until the motor 20 of the selected unit U is deenergized, generally at the conclusion of its vending cycle.

The several magazines D shown in the preferred embodiment are substantially similar in construction and operation. By reference to FIG. 2 of the drawings, it will be noted that each such magazine comprises a rigid, vertically disposed mounting plate 44 which defines one side of the magazine and on which the various dispensing units U are mounted. Each such mounting plate is provided with upper and lower slides 46 and 48 which are guided for movement in tracks 47 and 49 respectively, fixed to the interior of the cabinet so that each unit may thus be, at least partially, withdrawn through the front opening of the cabinet. The slides and track ways are illustrated but generally, since the mounting of the dispensing magazines in this manner is a generally old and well-known expedient, such as is disclosed morefully in Breitenstein et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,194,432.

In order to prevent unbalancing and possible toppling of the machine by withdrawal of a plurality of magazines D at the same time, there is provided a transversely extending and movable slide bar 51, which extends across the front of the cabinet interior in the path of Withdrawal of the respective magazines. Slide bar 51 is provided with notches 51' so spaced that only one notch at a time may be brought into registry with one of the magazines to permit its forward withdrawal through the open front of the cabinet.

All of the various dispensing units U carried by the magazine, except the top-most units, are similar in their construction and operation, and the top-most units differ from the others only as to dimensions.

The following description, therefore, is equally applicable to all units.

Each dispensing unit comprises a tubular article storage and delivery chute 24, supported in an inclined plane from the mounting plate 44 of its associated magazine. To facilitate loading of the chute, it is provided with a hinged cover 53, defining the side of the chute remote from the mounting plate 44, and releasably closed by a magnetic catch 55 or other suitable device.

Where the chutes 24 are vertically inclined, as in the preferred embodiment, the articles are fed by gravity through each chute toward its discharge end, though it will be understood that suitable feed means other than gravity may be employed, especially when the chutes are disposed horizontally or with an insufficient slope to provide a reliable gravity feed.

Movement of the article stack through each chute is limited by means of an end wall or abutment, here defined by the relatively parallel legs of a plurality of angle brackets 54, each secured to the rear wall of the chute. These brackets are relatively spaced to define slots through which the respective ejector arms 60 of the dispensing element 22 may extend into operative engagement with the article at the lower or discharge end of the chute.

The front Wall 50 of the chute has its lower edge spaced lengthwise of the chute from the end wall to define the article dispensing opening 56 which, in the preferred embodiment, opens generally upwardly and forwardly. This opening is proportioned to permit the passage therethrough either of a single article or of a preselected number of such articles at a time.

In order to conserve space, and to reduce the pressure on the articles near the bottom of the stack, it is desirable to have the various chutes 24 in each column or magazine D arranged to slope upwardly and rearwardly at an angle ranging from to 55 and preferably at a 51 angle from the vertical, with their lower delivery ends in parallel relation and in substantial vertical registry with each other, except that for the purpose of effecting maxi mum utilization of the height of the dispensing compartment, the several uppermost chutes have their upper ends terminating in a common vertical plane in relation to the rear of the cabinet structure 10. On the other hand, the lower end walls of the respective chutes 24 of each magazine are in vertical registry with each other, and each is located just rearwardly of one of the dispensing openings 32 in the window panel 30 of its respective magazine.

It will be noted that the articles are fed in a lengthwise direction through the chute toward its discharge end and, subsequent to their arrival at the discharge end, are ejected through the discharge opening or dispensing opening 56 in a direction transverse to the length of the chute.

Where the articles are fed down the chutes by gravity, as in the illustrated embodiment, it has been found that the angle of inclination of the chutes is critical, the optimum angle of inclination being 51 to the vertical. If this angle becomes greater than 55, the articles do not move freeely down the chute. On the other hand, if this angle becomes less than 45, the pressure of the article stack on the lowermost article or articles within the chute 24 offers an excessive resistance to its or their removal by the dispensing element 22, and may also result in damage to fragile articles such as candy bars. In order to vary the size of a dispensing opening 56 whereby to adapt it for dispensing of articles of varying heights or thicknesses, the front wall may be made adjustable or extensible by means such as a shutter 57 pivoted at 59 to the front wall so that it may be adjusted about its pivot to varying degrees across the dispensing opening 56. This shutter 57 is retained in the required position of adjustment by means such as a spring loaded detent 58 supported from a bracket on the guide plate for reception in recesses 58' in the shutter.

The dispensing element 22 is formed with a radially outwardly opening article recess 26. Projecting radially from this dispensing element adjacent to the rear edge of the article recess are a plurality of wiper tabs or ejector arms 60 respectively positioned for rotation through the respective slots in the chute and wall 54 and the slots 38' in the display windows 38. The ejector arms are of such radial extent as to project through the end wall and to engage and urge forwardly through the article dispensing opening only the lowermost article or predetermined plurality of articles within the chute. Due to the disposition of the ejector arms 60 contiguous to the rear edge of the article recess 26, the article or articles P upon emerging through the dispensing openings 56 in the chute will be received within the article recess, and will be positively guided into said recess, where necessary, by the guide plate 39. Normally each dispensing element 22 is at rest in a predetermined display position in which its article recess is preferably directed at least partially upwardly and positioned just forwardly of the chute 24. An automatic indexing means, here exemplified by a one revolution and stop drive means of generally conventional nature, which here is comprised of the electric gear motor 20, is connected in driving relation too the shaft 62 of the dispensing element 22 so that upon actuation of the gear motor 20, it rotates the dispensing element through a single complete revolution in a direction to move the article recess 26 forwardly and downwardly from its display position, thence rearwardly and upwardly beneath the chute bottom 54 and finally to its predetermined display position, with the recess 26 just in front of the chute bottom 54.

It is important to the proper functioning of the dispensing element 22 that its rotational axis be substantially in a common plane with the major longitudinal axis or center line of its associated chute 24, in order that the ejecting thrust of its ejector arm 60 may be applied substantially parallel to the flat upper and lower faces of the packaged articles, such as candy bars, being dispensed.

In this way, the application of any rolling or twisting forces to the articles is minimized, and the ejecting thrust of the dispensing element is most efiiciently employed. For instance, it will be appreciated that if the rotational axis of the dispensing element 22 is displaced a substantail distance either forwardly or rearwardly from the major longitudinal axis of its cooperating chute 24, then its ejector arm 60 will tend to thrust either downwardly or upwardly against the rear portion of the article to an undesirable degree, tending to roll or damage the article, and also resulting in an ineflicient expenditure of the driving force of the dispensing element 22.

The dispensing element 22 is located abreast of and adjacent the dispensing opening 56 in its associated opaque front panel 30, and the deflector plate 34 from the panel extends from the lower edge of the opening substantially beneath the dispensing unit. Thus, as the dispensing element 22 rotates, the article displayed in its article recess 26 is delivered by gravity or other means on to the deflector plate 34 and outwardly through the opening 56 to fall through the delivery passage 36 and into the delivery receptacle B, from which it may be withdrawn by the purchaser in known manner. As the article recess 26 subsequently moves beneath the chute bottom 54, the radial ejector arms 60, at its rear or trailing edge project through the slots or spaces 35, in the chute end wall and abut against the lowermost article P within the chute 24 while they move transversely across the chute to urge the article forwardly and out of the chute dispensing opening 56 for reception in the article recess 26 just prior to the time the dispensing element completes its single revolution and is brought to rest with the article on display.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the shaft 62 on which the dispensing element is mounted for rotation is coupled to the gear motor 20 of its associated indexing means, here comprising a one revolution and stop drive mechanism. The motor 20 itself is mounted on the remote side of the mounting plate 44 from the dispensing element, as by being mounted to the plate. The shaft 62 is rotatably journaled through the mounting plate and its free end is journaled through a supporting bracket or plate 64 aflixed to the chute 24, in driven relation to the motor 20. It is, of course, not essential that the dispensing elements have but a single recess or that the drive motor automatically indexes a full rotation on each operational cycle. For instance, it may be constructed in the manner of the dispensing element 22, shown at the bottom of FIG. 3 to have a plurality of similar article receiving recesses of which two such recesses 26' are shown in this embodiment. These two recesses are located in diametrically opposed relation on the dispensing element and the dispensing element is automatically indexed only 180 on each revolution rather than a full 360, so that its said recesses will be alternately positioned to display and dispense the articles or product P.

For ease and simplicity of assembly, the several gear motors 20 are preferably mounted in uniformly spaced vertical alignment on the respective mounting plates 44.

In accordance with an important feature of the invention, each motor 20 has in circuit therewith a conventional circuit breaker 66, responsive to abnormal loads on the motor to interrupt the energizing circuit thereto in the event the dispensing element 22 becomes jammed or meets substantial resistance to its rotation, as a result for instance of poorly wrapped, misplaced or deformed articles P which are unable to pass freely through the dispensing opening 56 of their associated chutes 24. Actuation of the circuit breaker 66 eliminates its associated motor 20 and dispensing unit U from operation until the jammed article is removed by the service man and the circuit breaker 66 is reset by actuation of its push button 68.

Such elimination of the jammed circuit electrically bypasses the jammed motor and renders the coin control mechanism M operative to receive coins so that articles may be purchased from the other dispensing units.

It is important to note that an article which is on display in a dispensing element 22 at any given time has already been moved out of the chute 24 so that there is no possibility of its jamming when selected by and dis pensed to a customer. Therefore, the article selected by the purchaser will be delivered to the purchaser without risk of jamming. Any jamming which can occur will take place only incident to the transfer or attempted transfer into the dispensing element of a new article as the article recess in the dispensing element passes beneath the bottom of the chute, and before the dispensing element completes its revolution. In other words, the jamming cannot occur until after the product on display has been dispensed, thus removing the possibility of the customer losing his money.

When a motor 20 is in stalled position, due to jamming, and during the interval before the circuit breaker 66 has deenergized the motor, the conventional coin control mechanism J earlier referred to, will prevent the machine from accepting additional coins, thus eliminating the possibility of loss of money by the customer.

In combination with the motor and circuit breaker arrangement above described, each dispensing unit preferably has associated therewith an interference block 70 having a vertical dimension greater than the height of the dispensing opening 56 of the chute. Such an interference block is placed in each chute 24 on top of the stack or column of articles P therein and is freely movable downwardly through the chute together with the articles. Because of the height or thickness of the interference block with respect to the dispensing opening 56 of its chute, the interference block cannot pass through the dispensing opening. Consequently, after removal of the last or uppermost article from the chute, the ejector arms 60 on the dispensing element 22 will engage the interference block 70 to arrest the rotation of the dispensing element and its driving motor and will thereby actuate the circuit breaker 66 to eliminate the dispensing unit U from further operation. To cushion the impact between the ejector arms 60 and interference block, the block is provided with a buffer strip 71 of resilient material such as rubber, extending along and projecting rearwardly beyond the edge of an opening 73 at the juncture of its bottom and rear walls in advantageous position for engagement by the arms 60. Manifestly, the rotation of the dispensing element 22 will thus be arrested before the dispensing element is returned to its display position. Since its recess 26 will not be in display position, and will not have an article on display, this will clearly indicate to the potential customer that the articles normally sold by the particular unit, are exhausted. If desired, toward this end, the periphery of the dispensing element may be marked in this rotative position just in advance of the article recess with a suitable legend such as SOLD OUT, or words of similar meaning, which legend will be presented toward the customer to be legible through the viewing window 38, whenever the dispensing element is taken out of operation either by jamming of its product, or by action of the interference block.

DISPENSING ELEMENT PER SE In the preferred embodiment of the invention, it has been found desirable to form each dispensing element 22 in two or more identical but separate sections or segments 22A and 22B which are spaced apart axially on the shaft 62 and keyed or otherwise affixed thereto. The sections of each dispensing element are so spaced that their respective radial ejector arms 60 and article recesses 26 are in identical angular positions and the arms are positioned for movement through the respective slots 55 in the bottom 54 of the article chute, and the slots 38' in the transparent window panel 38.

It is desirable to provide each dispensing element 22 with means for adjusting the depth of its article recess 26 for use with articles of varying sizes or thicknesses.

To this end, the article recesses 26 extend for the entire axial extent of each dispensing element segment 22A and 22B and open through the axial ends thereof. The circumferentially opposed sidewalls of each such recess are provided with pairs of relatively opposed slots 72 in different radial locations to receive the opposite edges of a false bottom or spacer plate 74, which may be inserted into and removed from the slots through the opposite axial ends thereof.

As earlier indicated, the several dispensing units U of each magazine D are constructed in similar manner, though they may differ in the proportions of certain of their parts. For instance, the length of the chutes 24 of the respective units may be varied in the manner shown in the drawings in order to best adapt them for reception within the predetermined interior space available within the dispensing compartment. Normally, the larger or thicker articles will be stored in and dispensed from the lower chutes, whereas the somewhat smaller articles will be dispensed from the uppermost chutes.

In the preferred embodiment, the uppermost unit is adapted for the dispensing of quite small articles or packages, such as packages of chewing gum, mints, lozenges, or the like, of small size. Consequently, the dispensing element 22 thereof and its associated dispening opening 56 through the opaque panel 30 may be of somewhat decreased axial extent relative to the other dispensing elements and their associated openings. However, aside from such differences in proportions, the several units are preferably similar in their construction and made of operation.

From a quite broad standpoint, it is not essential that the articles be fed through the chutes by gravity means, as in the preferred embodiment, since obviously the use of spring loaded followers or the like is by no means precluded for feeding the articles lengthwise of the respective chutes and into engagement with the abutments 54 at their respective ends. However, where the chutes are inclined or of sloping disposition to rely upon gravity for the articles feeding function, it has been found that the degree of the chute tilt or inclination is critical, if the optimum results are to be attained. In particular, it has been found that the optimum degree of tilt is 51 from the vertical and that if this is varied appreciably, for instance, if it is changed to 45, malfunctioning will become more fre quent. Thus, generally speaking, the critical range for optimum operation is from 45 to 55 tilt from the vertical. If the chute is tilted further from the vertical so as to more nearly approach a horizontal position, then the gravity feeding action will not be as positive or as reliable upnder all circumstances. It has been found necessary to support product weight partially by the magazine chute back wall to prevent the product stored in the chute from compressing and thereby damaging the articles held for dispensing. On the other hand, if the chute is placed in a more nearly vertical position, the pressure of the stack of articles upon the lowermost article about to be dispensed, will have an undue retarding or frictional restraining effect Which is more likely to produce malfunctioning than would otherwise be the case.

As has been described earlier, in each magazine a plurality of dispensing units U are carried by the mounting plate 44, which is supported for sliding movement outwardly through the open front of the cabinet to make the several dispensing units U thus available for reloading and servicing as desired. It is undesirable to withdraw more than a single suc'h magazine at a time, due to the risk of displacing the center of gravity of the machine sufliciently that it may tip over, and also due to the fact that the several withdrawn magazines will so obstruct each other as to interfere with the reloading and servicing of at least one of them.

For the purpose of permitting the withdrawal of but a single magazine at a time, there is provided a suitable slide bar 51 (FIGS. 7, 8 and 9) which extends transversely and is slidable in a trasverse direction across the front of the cabinet. This bar 51 is provided with a series of notches 51' spaced apart at distances different than the spacing between relatively adjoining mounting plates 44. The portion of the bar 51 in which these notches are formed normally extends in front of the ends of the upper slides 46 of each mounting plate 44, all as is shown in some detail in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. Thus, unless one of the notches 51' is positioned in alignment with the slide of a given magazine, that magazine is barred from withdrawal. Because the spacings between the notches are different than the spacings between the slides 46, only one notch at a time may be aligned with a given slide 46.

In the embodiment here illustrated, the upper track 47 on which the slide 46 is supported for movement, is suspended in spaced relation below the transverse upper frame member 55 of the cabinet 10 by means of relatively spaced pins or connectors 55a. The slide bar 51 which is of Z shape in cross-section, has its lower horizontal flange or web slotted as at 55b (see FIGURE 7) to permit transverse sliding movement of the bar 51 as required to position only one of the notches 51 in alignment with the slide 46 of a selective magazine.

OPERATION OF THE MACHINE In the operation of the dispensing machins as above described, the chute 24 for each unit is initially filled or loaded with a supply of articles P as for instance, candy bars, cigarettes, chewing gum or any of various articles of merchandise to be dispensed. Normally, the articles will be placed in individual containers, though this will not be essential in all cases. In initially loading the machine, an article corresponding to those in the chute of any dispens ing unit can be manually placed in the display recess of the dispensing element or that selection can be operated to position the first articles, in display and dispensing position. With the respective units fully loaded and operative, and with the front door 12 of the dispensing compartment closed and locked, the machine is in readiness for operation.

A customer by inspection of the articles on display through the various windows 38 in the front opaque panels 30, determines the particular articles to be purchased. He then inserts coinst in the necessary amount through the slots 42 in the front of the cabinet 10 and actuates the particular selector switch 28 corresponding in designation to the particular dispensing unit and article selected by him.

The insertion of the coins through the slots 42 into the coin control mechanism M will have energized the master circuit in conventional manner, and subsequent actuation of the particular selector button or switch 28 will have energized the motor 20 for the selected dis pensing unit to cause same to drive the dispensing element of said unit through a complete operative cycle. In the initial portion of such cycle, the article displayed in the article recess of said wheel is delivered by gravity or other means therefrom on to the subjacent deflector plate 34 and thence through the dispensing opening 56 and the dispensing pasage 36 into the delivery receptacle B, where it may be retrived by the purchaser through the receptacle door 16.

It is important that in the specific arrangement of the article chute 24 and its associated dispensing element 22 as above described, the entire weight of the article stack within the chute is supported jointly by the bottom and the back wall of the chute in a manner such that the weight of the stack is never exerted against the dispensing element 22. Thus, at the beginning of the rotation of the dispensing element, there is normally no resistance whatsoever to its rotary movement, and this condition continues throughout the major portion of its revolution up until the time that the radial ejector arms 60 on the dispensing element contact the lowermost article P within the chute 24 to displace the article forwardly through the dispensing opening 56 for delivery by gravity into the article recess 26 of the dispensing element, all during the last few degrees of revolution of the dispensing element, just before it comes to rest at the completion of its revolution.

Because of the supporting function of the chute bottom and its cooperation with the dispensing element in the manner above described, the dispensing unit or units of the machine are considerably more versatile than prior such units in their ability to dispense different varieties of articles having varying forms, proportions and physical qualities. For instance, it is made possible by the present invention to dispense either comparatively rigid articles, such as certain types of candy bars, boxed articles and, in fact, articles of any nature, capable of being stacked within and guided down the respective chutes. Thus, for instance, if it is desired to dispense a plurality of articles, such as small candies, marbles, or the like, in quite flexible bags, this may readily be done despite the flexible nature and the tendency of the flexible bags or containers to sag between points of support. This is possible because the slots 55 defined between the bottom members or tabs 54 of the chutes will, provide support for the article at relatively closely spaced support area locations.

If for any reason the article to be transferred from the chute to the dispensing element becomes jammed in the dispensing opening of the chute so as to arrest the rotation of the dispensing element, it will be readily apparent that this will occur only after the dispensing element has already discharged its displayed product or article for delivery through the dispensing passage 36 and into the delivery receptacle B and before the dispensing element completes its revolution to return to its display position. The engagement of the radial ejector arms 60 of the dispensing element with the jammed article, will in other words arrest the rotation of the dispensing element just prior to completion of its revolution and thus prior to delivery of the jammed article into the article recess of the dispensing element. Such arresting of the dispensing element and consequent overloading of its electrical drive motor Will. actuate the circuit breaker 66 associated with said motor to deenergize that motor and to place the coin control mechanism M in condition for reception of further coins and the making of other selections by a purchaser from other dispensing units. No article will be displayed in the stalling dispensing unit or vending unit for selection by a prospective purchaser.

When the motor of such a unit is in the stall position and during the relatively brief interval before the circuit breaker has interrupted the circuit to that motor, no additional coins can be accepted by the machine because of the action of the conventional lock-out mechanism. Thus, there is removed any possibility of a customer losing his money.

To reactivate a unit which has thus been jammed, it is necessary for the service man or operator simply to back-up the dispensing element to place its ejector arm in pick-up position, remove the jammed article or product and to reset the circuit breaker button in normal manner. This will restore the circuit to the jammed motor, causing it to then complete its revolution and in so doing to urge the lower-most article from the product stack into its article recess to be retained on display therein as the dispensing element comes to rest in its predetermined display position.

When the entire stack of articles in a given chute has become exhausted, the interference block 70 which rides downwardly through the chute on top of the product stack, will then come to rest against the chute bottom in position for engagement by the ejector arm 60 of their associated dispensing element. This will occur as the last article from the stack on display in the article recess in the dispensing element has been dumped into the delivery passage during the initial portion of the dispensing element revolution. Thus the customer is able to complete the purchase without question. However, the interference block is too large to pass through the discharge opening in the front of the chute and thus interrupts the rotation of the dispensing element to cause the circuit breaker 66 to deenergize its motor during the final portion of its revolution and just before it returns to its predetermined display position. The elimination from operation of that unit will then render all other units operative without interference until the particular unit is reloaded with articles and its circuit breaker is reset in the manner above described.

When reloading a unit which has thus been sold out, it is necessary simply to place the interference block 70 in the chute on top of the new stack of articles therein, to manually reverse or back up the wheel and reset the circuit breaker 66, permitting the dispensing element 22 to then complete its revolution and return to display position. This will cause an article automatically to be delivered into the article recess of the dispensing element in readiness for delivery to the customer.

As will have been apparent from the earlier detailed description, the servicing or reloading of any given unit or units is facilitated by virtue of the fact that each of the several vertical columns of units constitutes a portion of a magazine which is mounted on slides so that it may be withdrawn outwardly through the open front doorway of the cabinet. Access to the interior of each chute for reloading and servicing purposes may be had through the free side or end wall 53 of each chute, it being apparent that the wall may be swung open about its hinged connection to facilitate such access. Each of the magazines may thus be withdrawn through the front of the cabinet, reloaded and/or serviced as necessary and returned to operative position within the cabinet. The withdrawal and servicing of but a single magazine at a time will prevent obstruction by adjacent magazines and thus facilitate the reloading and servicing operations.

It Will be noted that the positioning of the drive motors and circuit breakers near the forward edges of the respective mounting plates of the magazines will facilitate their accessability for servicing, repair or replacement upon withdrawal of the magazine through the cabinet front as above described.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the novel dispensing machine of the invention is provided with an unusually large capacity and is capable of dispensing a wide selection of all types of articles, wherein an article of each type is normally on show-case display where it may be viewed and selected by the customer and wherein the customer receives the specifi article or product he sees and selects and in addition, is made aware of this by being able to witness the actual dispensing of the said article. The machine further incorporates the desirable advantage of delivering thearticles in the order in which they are inserted into the respective chutes of the dispensing or vending units, thereby contributing toward the freshness of the articles received by the purchasers. The various articles or products are displayed at an advantageous level for inspection by the purchaser. Moreover, the machine is capable of extremely simple loading and servicing through its front door and its individual dispensing units and portions thereof may be readily replaced without taking the machine out of operation for any substantial period of time; or, if desired, any given dispensing unit or units may be taken out of operation over indefinite periods without detracting from the ability of the remaining units to. function in their intended manner.

In this application I have shown and described only the preferred embodiment of this invention simply by way of illustration of the preferred mode of practicing the invention. However, I realize that the invention is capable of other and dilferent embodiments and that its several details may be modified in various ways all wtihout departing from the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are to be regarded as merely of illustrative nature, rather than as restrictive.

I claim:

1. An article dispensing unit comprising:

an elongated article chute for storing a stack of articles;

means for urging the articles in a lengthwise direction through said chute toward one end thereof;

stop means adjacent said one end of the chute for limiting the movement of the articles by said means;

said chute being formed to define a dispensing opening directed transversely to its length adjacent said stop means;

a dispensing element supported externally of the chute adjacent said one end for rotation about a predetermined axis;

said dispensing element being formed with a peripheral recess for reception of articles from said dispensing opening of the chute;

an ejector arm projecting beyond the periphery of said dispensing element at the trailing side of said recess for angular movement into and transversely across said one end of the chute and outwa'rdly through said dispensing opening;

and automatic indexing means for rotating said dispensing element to move said recess into alignment with the dispensing opening of the chute and bringing it to rest in a display position in which said recess and said ejector arm are adjacent the chute, but out .of lengthwise alignment therewith.

,2. -An article dispensing unit as defined in claim 1, in which the rotational axis of said dispensing element is substantially in a common plane with the major longitudinal-axis of said article chute.

3. An article dispensing unit as defined in claim 2, including transparent windows carried by the respective article guides in positions to cover and confine articles within the respective recesses in the display positions of said dispensing elements.

4. An article dispensing unit as defined in claim 3, in which said windows respectively are formed with notches positioned to permit free passage therethrough of the respective ejector arms during rotation of the said dispensing elements.

5. An article dispensing unit as defined in claim 1, including an article guide extending from said chute on the remote side of said dispensing opening from said dispensing element, to guide dispensed articles from the chute into said recess of the dispensing element.

6. A multiple selection dispensing machine including a plurality of the dispensing units defined in claim 1, said units being disposed in a vertical column with their dispensing elements in vertical registry, a vertical panel adjacent and in front of said dispensing elements, said panel having openings therethrough opposite the respective dispensing elements, transparent means cooperating with said panel to define a vertical delivery passage communicating with all of said openings, and an article deflector plate sloping upwardly and rearwardly from each opening beneath an adjacent dispensing element to guide articles from said dispensing element through the opening and into the said delivery passage.

7. A multiple selection dispensing machine as defined in claim 6, including transparent windows occupying the upper portions of said openings to permit visual inspection of articles displayed in the recesses of said dispensing elements the bottom portions of said openings being unobstructed to permit passage therethrough of the said articles.

8. An article dispensing unit as defined in claim 1, in which said chute is inclined to the vertical at an angle of substantially 51 and said means for urging articles through the chute is gravity.

9. An article dispensing unit as defined in claim 1, in which said chute is inclined to the vertical on an angle of at least 45 degrees and not more than 55 degrees, and said means for urging articles through the chute is gravity.

10. An article dispensing machine including a plurality of dispensing elements and their associated chutes as defined in claim 1 and wherein said automatic indexing means comprises an electric motor operatively connected to each said dispensing element in driving relation thereto, a selector switch and a circuit breaker connected in circuit with each said motor, said selector switches normally being in series with each other and wth the motor energizing circuit; said circuit-breaker being operative to deenegrize the motor incident to overload thereon arising from arresting of the rotation of said dispensing element before completion of its one revolution, and to reestablish the dispensing circuit so that the machine may continue in service.

11. A dispensing machine as defined in claim 10', in cluding an interference block of appreciably greater size than said dispensing opening, positioned on top of said stack of articles for movement down the chute therewith and for reception on said bottom of the chute after dispensing of the last said article from said stack, whereby to abut against said chute and arrest the rotation of the dispensing element before same completes its cycle of angular movement.

12. In a dispensing machine a dispensing unit comprising an article delivery chute of uniform cross-sectional size and shape having front, rear and side walls, and having a bottom for supporting a stack of articles Within the chute; said front wall terminating in spaced relation above the bottom to therewith define a forwardly directed article dispensing opening proportioned to permit forward passage therethrough of but a predetermined number of articles at a time from the bottom of said stack of articles; a dispensing element supported for rotation about a fixed axis beneath said bottom of the chute, said bottom of the chute being formed to define a plura ity of slots opening rearwardly thereinto through its forward edge, said slots extending transversely to the rotational axis of said dispensing element and being relatively spaced apart in the direction of said axis, said dispensing element being formed with a radially outwardly opening recess for reception of said articles, said dispensing element normally being at rest in a predetermined angular display position in which said recess faces upwardly and forwardly of the said chute; one revolution and stop drive means, connected to said dispensing ele ment for rotating it in a direction to move said recess forwardly and downwardly from said display position through a single complete revolution wherein said recess moves beneath the bottom of said chute and then is brought to rest automatically in its said predetermined display position; a plurality of ejector arms projecting from said dispensing element adjacent the rear edge of the article recess in said dispensing element and positioned for rotation through the respective said slots to engage the lowermost article in said stack of articles, and urge same forwardly through said article dispensing opening for reception in the article recess.

13. An article dispensing machine as defined in claim 12, comprising a shutter member supported on said chute for movement to various selected positions of adjustment across said article dispensing opening, whereby to adapt the size of said opening for successive discharge of articles of varying sizes.

14. A dispensing machine as defined in claim 12, including an interference block of appreciably greater vertical extent than the discharge opening, positioned on therewith and for abutting engagement by said radial dispensing arms of the dispensing element to arrest rotation of said dispensing element before it completes its single revolution.

15. In an article dispensing machine of the class wherein the articles are stacked in a chute for successive delivery into an article receiving recess in the periphery of a dispensing element disposed beneath said chute, the dispensing element normally being at rest in a predetermined display position wherein said article recess in its periphery is directed forwardly just in front of the chute for display of an article contained in said recess, selectively operable automatic indexing means, including an electric motor connected to said dispensing element for rotating said dispensing element in a direction to move its recess downwardly away from the chute to discharge the article therefrom, thence past the said chute to pick up a fresh article in said recess and to support said article in said display position when the dispensing element is brought to rest; the combination with said article dispensing machine of an interference block disposed on top of the uppermost article of said stack for movement downwardly through the chute, the interference block being of substantially greater vertical dimensions than said articles to abut against said chute and thereby to arrest the rotation of the dispensing element before it reaches its said display position.

16. A dispensing machine as defined in claim 15, which further includes a circuit breaker connected to said electrical motor to deenergize the motor in response to the overload thereon resulting from the arrest of its rotation.

17. In an article dispensing machine of the type in which a dispensing element is disposed for rotation beneath a chute containing a stack of articles to be dispensed, and is provided with a peripheral recess proportioned to remove an article each time the recess passes beneath said chute, said dispensing element normally being angularly located in a stationary display position wherein said recess with an article therein is persented forwardly just in front of said chute, the combination with said dispensing element of an article retainer positioned to extend across and adjacent the mouth of said recess in the display position of said dispensing element to retain an article in said recess against removal by jarring of the machine.

18. A dispensing unit comprising a generally vertical article delivery chute having a bottom for supporting a stack of similarly dimensioned articles within the chute; said chute being formed with a forwardly directed article dispensing opening above its bottom proportioned to permit forward passage therethrough of but a single article at a time from the bottom of said stack of articles; a dispensing element supported for rotation about a horizontal axis beneath said bottom, said bottom being formed with a slot opening through its forward edge transversely to the rotational axis of said dispensing element; said element being formed with a plurality of relatively angularly spaced radially outwardly directed recesses each proportioned for reception of but a single said article, said dispensing element normally being at rest in a predetermined display position in which one said recess is located adjacent but forwardly of the said chute, and another relatively adjoining recess is located rearwardly of said chute; automatic indexing means connected to said dispensing element for rotating it in a given direction through a predetermined angular movement equal to the angular spacing between the centers of said recesses and wherein said one recess first moves forwardly and downwardly to discharge an article therefrom, while said other recess moves upwardly and beneath the bottom of said chute and then is brought to rest automatically in its said predetermined display position; an ejector arm projecting radially from said dispensing element adjacent the rear edge of each article recess to engage and eject the lowermost article from said stack through said dispensing opening for reception in said article recess.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,253,027 8/1941 Hall 221-253 2,348,400 5/ 1944 Manspeaker 221-224 2,571,668 10/1951 Booth et al. 221-231 X 2,743,842 5/1956 Fry 221- X 3,334,784 8/1967 Morrison 221-277 X SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

